In this episode of the Teacher Fellows Podcast, host Ryan Rarick, an Education Pathway Teacher and Instructional Coach, leads a discussion on authentic student engagement with guests CJ Hoyt, a math educator, and Carly Maloney, the 2024 Utah Teacher of the Year. Despite the absence of co-host Lauren Merkley due to illness, the episode explores personal experiences, strategies, and insights into maintaining high levels of student engagement throughout the school year. Key topics include the significance of curiosity and inquiry, the importance of student voice and choice, and effective engagement strategies like stations, stickers, and project-based assessments. The episode concludes with highlights from the fellows' Educator Day on the Hill at the Utah State Capitol, emphasizing the importance of teacher-legislator interactions.

00:00 Introduction and Updates

01:20 Meet the Guests: CJ Hoyt and Carly Maloney

02:28 Discussing Authentic Student Engagement

03:39 Defining and Observing Engagement

09:08 Evolving Understanding of Engagement

12:41 Strategies for Maintaining Engagement

17:07 Quick Engagement Strategies

19:21 Conclusion and Summary

21:50 Live from the State Capitol: Educator Day on the Hill

GUESTS ON EPISODE:

• Carly Maloney - 2024 Utah Teacher of the Year; Psych & English Language Development, Davis School District
• CJ Hoyt - Middle School Math Teacher, Granite School District

GUESTS AT THE STATE CAPITOL:

• Anna Bessesen - High School Computer Science Teacher, National Board Certified - Granite School District
• BreAnn Busboom - German and CTE Teacher, Davis School District
• Audryn Damron - Special Education Teacher, Granite School District
• Lindsay Hinkins - District Digital Learning Specialist, Carbon School District

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Albert Bandura - Social Learning Theory

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS:

Want to be on the podcast? Fill out this form - Podcast Interview Survey

Teacher Fellows Website: teacherfellows.org

Linkedin: Utah Teacher Fellows

Twitter: @TeachFellowsPod or @HSG_UT

Instagram: @TeacherFellowsPodcast or @hsg_ut

Facebook: @utahteacherfellowsprogram

Email us: socialmedia@hopestreetgroup.org

PART OF THE SHOW

Hosts:

• Lauren Merkley (insta: @lmerkles) -- Taught AP English Language and Composition, Creative Writing in Granite School District, 2020 Utah Teacher of the Year
• Ryan Rarick (insta: @raricks_room) -- Education Pathway Teacher for Washington Country School District, 2026 Utah ACTE Teacher of the Year

Executive Producer:

• Kayla Towner (insta: @itsteachertowner) -- Taught elementary education K-6th, Education Technology Specialist, Project Manager, Podcast Editor & Producer, and the 2023 Honors in Education Award in Administration and the 2020 UCET Outstanding Young Educator Award.

Info Drop Spokesperson:

• John Arthur (insta: @9thEvermore) -- Co-Director of the Teacher Fellows, 6th Grade Teacher in Salt Lake School District, 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year, 2021 National Teacher of the Year Finalist.

Rethinking Assessment

In this episode of the Teacher Fellows Podcast, hosts Ryan Rarick and Lauren Merkley dive into innovative assessment practices and the importance of rethinking traditional approaches. They are joined by guest Anna Bessesen (and for a short time Eric Evans), experienced educator who shared insights on maximizing student engagement and mastery through project-based learning and self-assessment. Highlighting the shift from summative to formative assessments, the discussion explores how clear success criteria and iterative feedback can transform the learning experience for students. This engaging conversation provides practical strategies and reinforces the philosophy that learning is an ongoing, dynamic process.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter

00:49 Preview of Today's Topic: Rethinking Assessment

01:29 Meet the Guests: Anna and Eric

02:20 Defining Assessment

03:27 Rethinking Traditional Assessment Methods

07:06 Practical Changes in Assessment Practices

11:49 Teaching Students to Self-Assess

18:09 Time Management and Teacher Tips

19:44 Top Takeaways and Conclusion

GUESTS ON EPISODE:

• Anna Bessesen - High School Computer Science Teacher, National Board Certified - Granite School District
  • Instagram:@themxbest

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Alfie Kohn - The Case Against Competition

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS:

Want to be on the podcast? Fill out this form - Podcast Interview Survey

Teacher Fellows Website: teacherfellows.org

Linkedin: Utah Teacher Fellows

Twitter: @TeachFellowsPod or @HSG_UT

Instagram: @TeacherFellowsPodcast or @hsg_ut

Facebook: @utahteacherfellowsprogram

Email us: socialmedia@hopestreetgroup.org

PART OF THE SHOW

Hosts:

• Lauren Merkley (insta: @lmerkles) -- Taught AP English Language and Composition, Creative Writing in Granite School District, 2020 Utah Teacher of the Year
• Ryan Rarick (insta: @raricks_room) -- Education Pathway Teacher for Washington Country School District, 2026 Utah ACTE Teacher of the Year

Executive Producer:

• Kayla Towner (insta: @itsteachertowner) -- Taught elementary education K-6th, Education Technology Specialist, Project Manager, Podcast Editor & Producer, and the 2023 Honors in Education Award in Administration and the 2020 UCET Outstanding Young Educator Award.

Info Drop Spokesperson:

• John Arthur (insta: @9thEvermore) -- Co-Director of the Teacher Fellows, 6th Grade Teacher in Salt Lake School District, 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year, 2021 National Teacher of the Year Finalist.

In this episode of the Teacher Fellows Podcast, hosted by Ryan Rarick, the focus is on understanding and overcoming teacher burnout. Despite the absence of co-host Lauren Merkley, Ryan leads a valuable discussion with guests Lindsay Hinkins and Rachel Robins from Utah's fifth cohort of Teacher Fellows. The conversation covers the causes of burnout, such as decision fatigue and emotional exhaustion, and offers practical strategies for mitigating it. Key suggestions include setting boundaries, finding support, and practicing mindfulness. The episode concludes on a hopeful note, discussing positive shifts in the profession and the growing awareness and dialogue around teacher well-being.

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

01:12 Meet the Guests: Lindsay Hinkins and Rachel Robins

03:29 Defining Teacher Burnout

04:29 Causes of Burnout and Early Career Challenges

07:52 Strategies to Overcome Burnout

09:15 The Importance of Boundaries and Support

11:53 Mindfulness and Mental Health Practices

17:47 Positive Reinforcement and Admin Support

19:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

GUESTS ON EPISODE:

• Lindsay Hinkins - District Digital Learning Specialist, Carbon School District
  • Instagram: @lindsayhinkins
• Rachel Robins - Secondary ELA, Washington County School District
  • Instagram:@therealmrsrobins

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• “The Let Them Theory” book by Mel Robbins

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS:

Want to be on the podcast? Fill out this form - Podcast Interview Survey

Teacher Fellows Website: teacherfellows.org

Linkedin: Utah Teacher Fellows

Twitter: @TeachFellowsPod or @HSG_UT

Instagram: @TeacherFellowsPodcast or @hsg_ut

Facebook: @utahteacherfellowsprogram

Email us: socialmedia@hopestreetgroup.org

PART OF THE SHOW

Hosts:

• Lauren Merkley (insta: @lmerkles) -- Taught AP English Language and Composition, Creative Writing in Granite School District, 2020 Utah Teacher of the Year
• Ryan Rarick (insta: @raricks_room) -- Education Pathway Teacher for Washington Country School District, 2026 Utah ACTE Teacher of the Year

Executive Producer:

• Kayla Towner (insta: @itsteachertowner) -- Taught elementary education K-6th, Education Technology Specialist, Project Manager, Podcast Editor & Producer, and the 2023 Honors in Education Award in Administration and the 2020 UCET Outstanding Young Educator Award.

Info Drop Spokesperson:

• John Arthur (insta: @9thEvermore) -- Co-Director of the Teacher Fellows, 6th Grade Teacher in Salt Lake School District, 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year, 2021 National Teacher of the Year Finalist.